30 



SPECIMENS OF CETACEA. 



(3) Bal^na biscayensis. (B. bi.) 



(North Atlantic Right Whale.) 

 Baleine des Basques, Fischer, Ann. des Sc. Nat., 1871. 

 Balsena biscayensis, Eschricld, Van Beneden and Gervais. 

 Nord Caper of Lacepede and Eschricld. 



Much smaller than B. 'inysticctus. Baleen narrow, 

 about half as long as in mysticetus. So similar is 

 it in characters to B. australis that many systematic 

 writers regard B. biscayensis as only the North 

 Atlantic form of B. <(ustralis. 



1. Tympano-periotic bones, fused, left ; apparently adult. 

 Tympanic, length 5| inches, breadth 3| inches, height 

 4| inches. Outer surface separated into two unequal 

 convex divisions by long, deep, wide groove ; posterior 

 3^ inches, anterior 1| inch. Lip-like process from 

 upper border limited behind by deep notch. Inner 

 surface moderately convex and striated, upper border 

 relatively thin 3^ inches above keel, terminating at 

 Eustachian end in deep notch (figure below). Lower 

 aspect strongly keeled, the adjoining surfaces laterally 

 compressed. Periotic, 2| inches long, If inch broad ; 

 inferior surface smooth and convex. Auditory canal 



